Pencil-sharpener switch



Patented Sept. 30, 1930 PATENT OFFICE RAYMOND E. BRUSH, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH GAROLINA PENCIL SHARPENER SWITCH Application filed August 16, 1928. Serial No. 300,084.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pencil sharpeners, the same aiming to provide a pencil sharpener conteinplated to sharpen pencils in a quick and a efficient manner, and without the necessity of any manual exertion on the part of a person sharpening a pencil in this novel device.

The invention requires but the use of one hand of the person sharpening the pencil,

and that in forcing the pencil between the sharpening elements of the sharpener.

The prime object of this invention is accomplished by the provision of automatic means whereby the energization of the electrio motor employed for driving the sharpenerwill occur simultaneously with the insertion of the pencil into the sharpener.

Another important object of the invention resides in the novel switch means adapted to be actuated by the insertion of a pencil into the sharpener.

driven pencil sharpener of such a simple construction as to ermit the manufacture there- 2 of at a reasona ly low cost.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will'become apparent after a consideration of the following specification and claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the invention in its entirety. U

. Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation and partial sectional view of the device.

Figure 3 is an end view of the pencil sharpener equipped with the novel clrcuit closing means. Figure 4 is asectional view of the circuit closing structure taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. 4

Figure' f) is a vertical sectional view of the circuit closing structure, taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuit connections.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, the invention embodies a base plate 1, supported upon suitable resilient feet 2. The motor 3 of the required capacity is mounted upon the base plate 1 and is provided with an upwardly inclined arm 4: at one end thereof.

The upper end of the arm 4 is thus provided with an enlarged head 5, having a conical opening 6, formed in the outer side thereof.

The head 5 is provided with an inwardly disposed protuberance 7, formed with a bore communicating with the inner end of the conical opening 6, and which is aligned with the usual armature shaft 8 of the motor 3.

A threaded element 9 is provided, at an in termediate point with a circumferential enlargement 10. One end portion of the threaded element is threadable into a threaded bore in the end of the armature shaft 8, while the opposite end of the element is engageable within a threaded bore of a stub shaft embodied in a conventional sharpener which will be described hereinafter.

This conventional sharpener consists of a m receptacle comprising a pair of end "walls Still another object is to provide a motor AA, and one end of the receptacle is formed with an opening, the edge portions of which are flanged as at B, to permit the insertion of the head 5, of the inclined arm 4, there- 7 in. The enlarged'head 5 is provided with an annular row of teeth 11 adapted formeshwith the pinions O, at one end of each sharpening element D. A stub shaft E'having a flared portion at one end is adapted to project through the head 5 and the protuberance 7, so

as to cause the seating of the flared head with.- in the conical opening 6 of the head 5. The stub shaft E is formed with a reduced threaded opening to receive the threaded elements 9. The outer end wall of the receptacle is formed with an opening in registry with the opening in the opposed-end of the receptacle and has its edge portion flanged, to receive a tubular member F, This tubular member is "flanged at its inner end to journally receive one end of each sharpening element D.

These sharpeners are of the usual spirally cut roll type arranged in converged manner. A stri of celluloid or in fact any material desire such as is indicated by may be employed to form the side walls of the receptacle. A member J is employed at theouter end of the receptacle in the'usual manner for varying the opening through the tubular member F, to accommodate difl'erent sized pencils. A

For automatically starting the motor upon the insertion of a pencil into the sharpener, a novel switch mechanism is provided, such as will be fullydescribed hereinafter. V

This switch mechanism includes a block of insulating material 12 having an opening 13 therethrough. The upper portion of the block is substantially longer than the lower portion so that the upper portion projects beyond the said lower portion at the outer end of the block. A jacket 14 preferably of metallic material encases the insulating block and is provided with ears 15, whereby the same is secured to the outer end wall of the receptacle, and over the open outer end of the tubular member F. A stationary contact is secured Within the opening 13 adjacent the inner end thereof and consists of a metallic plate '15,

formed to provide a substantially U-shaped dependent 16.

Aspring contact arm 17 is secured at its upper end to the projecting portion of the insulating block 12, and is disposed rearwardly in declining position, the inner end of the spring arm being formed to provide an in motor circuit. The motor will thus be ener-.

gized upon the insertion of the encil into the sharpener and will be imme iately cut off when the pencil is fully retracted from the contact arm 17.

It is to be understood that certain changes ma be resorted to in the specific shape, size an material emplo ed in the construction of this invention, wit out departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is: A switch for motor driven pencil sharpeners comprising, a casing, formed with an opening and adapted to be secured to the pencil sharpener with the opening in registry with the usual pencil receiving opening of the sharpener a block of insulating material arranged within the casin and formed with an opening therethrough 1n registry with the aforementloned openings, a leaf spring con-' tact member arranged within the opening of the block, said member being inclined outwardly with respect to the block and with one end secured to the said block, the free end of the member'bein bentlaterally, a stationary contact secure to the blockin normal 

